Observations from Iraq, Iran, Israel, the Arab world and beyond

EGYPT: Travel ban imposed on former trade minister, other officials

Egypt on Friday imposed a travel ban on former Trade Minister Rachid Mohamed Rachid and froze his assets, according to MENA, the state news agency.

"The public prosecutor's decision is part of the precautionary measures taken against some officials after prosecutors received complaints of theft of public money," MENA reported.

The prosecutor's office imposed a travel ban on other ministers from the former government and a former ruling party official on Thursday, the agency said. It also froze their assets, Reuters reported.